Les Arts Florissants brings 18th century Baroque opera to stage
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A scene from opera "Daphnis et Egle" / Courtesy of Hanwha Classic
By Yun Suh-young
The extravagance of the Baroque period will be reenacted through an operatic performance later this month as period music specialist William Christie will be performing with period instrument ensemble Les Arts Florissants.
The group will perform at the Seoul Arts Center Sept. 23, prior to a performance in Daejeon Sept. 24 at the Daejeon Arts Center. The performances are part of Hanwha Classic's classical concert series which have been offered by the Hanwha Group since 2013.
American conductor, harpsichord player and professor, William Christie, is known for his masterful interpretation of French music ranging from the 17th and 18th century Baroque to the 20th century Romanticism, emphasizing the beauty of the form and innovativeness. Christie is especially known for reenacting the techniques of the times and bringing back old instruments from the period. He moved to Paris in the 1970s and since then has brought back to life musical scores that have been dormant in the national library of France.
In 1979, he founded the ensemble Les Arts Florissants, which translates to "the flourishing arts," which refers to the flamboyant Baroque music. In fact, the ensemble is best characterized by its Baroque performances with Baroque instruments.
Christie and Les Arts Florissants will perform French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau's two opera pieces "Daphnis et Egle (1753)" and "La Naissance d'Osiris (1754)."
Ticket prices are between 20,000 won and 50,000 won. For more information, call 070-4234-1305.